Germany's IRIS-T Air Defence System: A European Alternative to the Patriot

Diehl Defence has introduced a unified missile launcher capable of firing both medium and long-range variants of Germany's IRIS-T air defence system, potentially positioning it as Europe's alternative to the US-made Patriot system. This new launcher was showcased at Enforce Tac, Germany's premier security and defence trade fair. The IRIS-T SLM medium-range system and the IRIS-T SLX long-range system can be deployed from the same battery, allowing for a flexible response to various aerial threats.

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The IRIS-T SLM system includes a mobile command centre, radar, and multiple launch vehicles equipped with interceptor missiles. Its radar can detect targets up to 250 kilometres away, including drones, aircraft, and cruise missiles, while the missiles can engage targets at ranges of up to 40 kilometres and altitudes of 20 kilometres. The IRIS-T SLX variant extends the interception range to 80 kilometres. Although the IRIS-T SLM is designed primarily for ballistic missile defence, it can also counter drones and other aerial threats.

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The US-made Patriot air defence system, developed during the Cold War, has been a cornerstone of Western air defence since its deployment in 1984. It features a powerful radar capable of detecting targets up to 150 kilometres away and can track multiple threats simultaneously. A typical Patriot battery includes radar, a fire control centre, launchers, antennas, and a power supply, and can be operational within hours. The system has undergone several modernisations, with the latest version, PAC-3 MSE, achieving greater ranges and precision through a "hit-to-kill" capability.

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In contrast, while the IRIS-T system offers a supplementary layer of defence, it is not a direct replacement for the Patriot system due to its limited altitude range and overall capabilities.

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The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the critical need for effective air defence systems, with modern missiles often only being intercepted by the Patriot system. Ukraine currently operates seven Patriot systems, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently urged Western allies for increased air defence support. However, both the US and European nations face limited stocks amid rising demand driven by the war.

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Germany has supplied several MIM-104 Patriot systems to Ukraine over the past four years, but a replacement for these systems is not anticipated until the end of the decade. The Patriot system is in high demand globally, currently supplied to 18 countries. The US government has temporarily halted exports of these systems, citing shortages and prioritising domestic needs.

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Critics argue that the IRIS-T system, while a step forward for European air defence, still falls short of the capabilities offered by the Patriot system. The limited altitude range of the IRIS-T SLM raises concerns about its effectiveness against advanced aerial threats, particularly in high-stakes environments like the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

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• “By comparison, the IRIS-T system is suitable for ballistic missile defence only to an extent due to its limited altitude range.” — Euronews

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• “Several systems of this type are therefore required to provide comprehensive protection, especially for large cities.” — Euronews

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• “According to US outlet The Atlantic, the US government temporarily halted exports of these systems last year, citing a shortage and a desire to reserve them primarily for its own use.” — The Atlantic

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